A common misconception is that Ozempic directly causes weight loss. In reality, the medication supports weight loss — but it’s your dietary habits that do the heavy lifting. I always remind patients that long-term success comes from consistently maintaining a calorie deficit. Without that, no medication will produce lasting results.
In our practice, we pair Ozempic with a structured low-carbohydrate nutrition plan and carefully titrate the dosage to maximize results while minimizing side effects. Think of Ozempic as an appetite suppressant with added benefits: it slows digestion, helping you feel full sooner and eat less.
Once patients reach their goal weight, many continue with a micro-dose to help maintain their results.
Will You Gain the Weight Back After Stopping?
The honest answer: it depends on your habits.
If you return to the foods that contributed to weight gain — such as pastries, alchol, bread, pasta, pizza, and other flour-based foods — you’ll likely regain weight. Long-term success requires redefining what “normal eating” looks like.
I often recommend limiting or eliminating foods made from any type of flour, including:
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Bread
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Pastries
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Noodles
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Tortillas
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Chips
Maintaining your ideal weight means adopting sustainable dietary changes, not just relying on medication.
Common Side Effects of Ozempic
Most people do really well on Ozempic, but it’s totally normal to experience some digestive upset in the beginning—especially as your dose increases. You might notice things like:
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Feeling nauseous
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Mild stomach pain or discomfort
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Heartburn or indigestion
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Bloating or feeling gassy
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Burping more than usual
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Constipation
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A noticeable drop in appetite
These symptoms usually improve as your body adjusts, and adjusting the dose slowly often helps a lot.
More Serious Side Effects
More serious side effects are uncommon, but they can happen, so it’s important to know what to look out for. Reach out to your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
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Irregular heartbeats or a racing heart
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Stomach symptoms that feel more like a bad flu
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Blurred or changing vision
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Sudden mood changes
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Signs of stomach paralysis (ileus), like severe bloating or trouble passing stool
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Symptoms that could suggest a thyroid tumor, such as trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or swelling in your neck
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Severe abdominal pain, which could mean pancreatitis
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Kidney issues, like reduced urination or blood in the urine
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Gallbladder problems, including jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), upper-right abdominal pain, or gallstones
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